Did a lap around White Mesa this morning with Mike. Nice time out since we beat the heat. Only 8.5 miles with some moderate technical challenges. The real fun is that if you fall, you aren't going to stop for a while.

Last weekend, after heading down to Ahh, All out Sushi with some Mountain Rescue folks I was biking home at 1am and stripped a pedal (for the 2nd time!)...barely made it back. I finally got around to fixing it today.

We've got some hot, dry weather hitting us now. The only time to get out and ride (which is all that's allowed now due to the fire closures) is bright and early. Did 36 miles with Nate around town this morning.

Had a great climb of Mt. Hood on June 24-25. The notoriously consistent cloudy weather broke for Nate and I as we drove down from Seattle and managed to gain 1000 ft before setting up the tent. Lots of snow catting here for the ski area. Up at 2:00am and climbing by 2:40am. The wind was brutal in the night and we had to take time to set up a wind break for the tent and make sure that Nate's hands had fresh hothands. We made quick time and passed a few guided groups. The shrund was easily traversed around and the final pitch was steep, but not steep enough to warrant roping up - the falling person would just drag more people down the steep, icy mountain. Nate and I managed to get up easily and we carefully walked over to the summit along the ridge. 6:30am on top. Summit beer of choice was a New Belgium Trippel. Took time on the way down and watch the Olympic ski team training on the glacier.

All I know about Seattle is what I new originally: they're big on fixies, starbucks, and REI. ...and the REI isn't all that impressive either. Sure it's got a forest around it, and there's a mountain biking path and a climbing gym, but they didn't have AT boots. What kind of self-respecting flagship store is that?

So a couple guys in a beater low rider flipped me off, yelled at me, and then hit me with something off my helmet in the back of my head. I got the Nebraska license number and filed a police report. Maybe something will come of it, maybe not.

Exhausted from trying to ride with Mike and the other "casual" cyclists at lunch on Friday, I biked downtown and had sushi with Nate, Todd, and Kat before watching Hangover 2. Took the ham radio class Sat and Sunday, with a nice trip down to Marble with Nate to have an Amber and play hacky-sack. Climbed and descended La Luz quickly with Leigh and Nate on Sunday night (partly by headlight) to train for Rainier and the La Luz Trail Run. Looked at houses on Memorial Day Monday, lunch date, and mountain biked, bbq'ed, and fixed the van transmission with Jason.

The most interesting statement from the 3 day class was about why we can't find intelligent life in the vast cosmos. The answer: because as soon as life reaches a certain level of intelligence, the species has the ability to wield too much power in order to fight for the limited resources, and destroys itself. Intelligent life is self-extinguishing.

Truches' 4WD roads/rocks caused a fracture in the van's transmission pan. It's a sad day in the life a the mountain machine, but I've got a replacement part on the way.

I found out by backing out into the road and then not being able to use any gear or reverse. Had to slowly push it in neutral to the side of the road through the intersection. (Glad I live in a unbusy portion of town.)

Late departure from ABQ (7am); didn't find the right trailhead, bushwhacked for a ways, found the trail but it was covered in dead trees - requiring an obstacle course-style of trekking, then the postholing began. We gave up at around the base of the true climb.